Is it considered rude to lean your seat back on the plane?

[safetymom]

I think a little common courtesy is needed in this thread. Please watch your remarks or the thread will be closed.

If you don't like this discussion just move on to another one. Thank you.

 

[BostonRob]

I am sorry, but that is about as narrow minded as the trash comment.

Not at all. Its a very common, albiet not particularly graceful, definition of personal rights. I'd say it is fairly open minded and considerate. It is essentially saying that as long as we're not bothering one another, then we are within our rights. Obviously this isn't always the legal limit, but its a good starting point if a question of rights comes up. But I only mentioned that to address the question of profanity and pornography.

As I explained, while I believe that sentiment is generally valid, I don't think it applies here because the airline has already clearly delineated out rights on this matter.

As to whether it is considerate or not, until I read this thread, I thought everybody understood that reclining is fair game. This thread has opened my eyes a bit, but only to see that this is yet another issue that people are eager to get irrational about.

 

[sgtdisney]

As to whether it is considerate or not, until I read this thread, I thought everybody understood that reclining is fair game. This thread has opened my eyes a bit, but only to see that this is yet another issue that people are eager to get irrational about.

Most savvy travelers have similar feelings about the entire reclining issue. If you feel you have the right to recline into someone's lap on a crowded flight, I am sure nothing I will say will dissuade you from doing so. There are also ways to handle people who have reclined into a person on an aircraft that are legal and within a persons rights. Happy traveling to everyone.

 

[BostonRob]

I've got more to say about this. Of course everybody would prefer that the person in front of the doesn't recline. Everybody would also prefer that the seat next to them remain empty. When somebody buys the seat next to you, are they being inconsiderate? Of course not. The same goes for reclining - it is not inconsiderate just because it doesn't fit perfectly into your personal situation.

 

[BostonRob]

There are also ways to handle people who have reclined into a person on an aircraft that are legal and within a persons rights.

I believe this quote supports my point that this is an issue that people get irrational about. Unless I'm reading you wrong, you seem to be implying that you're plotting some sort of revenge on somebody unfortunate enough to sit in front of you.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If you feel you have the right to recline into someone's lap on a crowded flight, I am sure nothing I will say will dissuade you from doing so.

Gosh, please tell me the name of the airline that has coach seats that actually allow you to "recline into someone's lap." All the airlines that I fly have coach seats that only recline a minimal amount.

 

[sgtdisney]

Gosh, please tell me the name of the airline that has coach seats that actually allow you to "recline into someone's lap." All the airlines that I fly have coach seats that only recline a minimal amount.

It depends on the airline and also the aircraft. Many of the newer planes are being made with a more restrictive recline because of all the complaints that the airlines get. There are some planes however, especially older ones that were never designed to be set up with the narrow pitch of the modern airlines that do recline more. When someone can look at the top of your head, which has happened, it isn't comfortable for the person behind you. Airlines flight crews will tell you that they wished domestic aircraft had seats that don't recline because it is an issue quite often. If the airlines increased the pitch between their seats, it would be less of an issue as well, but we all know that won't happen.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Airplane seats are designed to recline. Except at takeoff and landing, the person in front of you is entitled to recline. You're entitled to recline. And the person behind you is entitled to recline. That way, everyone is in a slightly more comfortable position to read, sleep, or watch in-flight entertainment.
[...]

The bolded section of your comment is in error. I am much less comfortable reclined than I am sitting straight up. Others here have said this as well.

And it's sad to see this discussion co-opted by the "Entitlement" crowd. As I review the thread topic, I see the question "is it rude"? As sgtdisney tried to point out, there are many things that one can do on a plane that one is entitled to do and that one has the right to do that are still rude. Quietly humming show tunes the entire trip comes to mind, as does persistantly trying to engage the person seated next to you in conversation for hours though I'm sure there are others.

On a humorous.but.all.too.true note, I found this definition for "rude" on dictionary.com - it pertains to software, but seems to apply here, too:

Anything that manipulates a shared resource without regard
for its other users in such a way as to cause a (non-fatal)
problem.

Be well!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The bolded section of your comment is in error. I am much less comfortable reclined than I am sitting straight up. Others here have said this as well.

Nobody is forced to recline their airplane seat. But it's an option for those who find it more comfortable.

And it's sad to see this discussion co-opted by the "Entitlement" crowd.

"Co-opted by the 'Entitlement' crowd"? Just because many of us that think using airplane seats as designed is reasonable?

 

[Trekker]

This has turned into an argument with name calling and such instead of a good healthy discussion - Say Bye-Bye